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Danish study reveals harmful phthalates in toys from Amazon, Shein, Temu, and Wish

Friday 25th 2024 on 06:33 in  
Denmark

Danish consumers favor online shopping platforms include Amazon, Shein, Temu, and Wish. However, recent findings suggest that some plastic toys from these popular sites contain higher levels of certain harmful substances than legally permitted. A recent study from the Consumer Council Tænk identified phthalates, suspected of being hazardous to health, in eight out of 40 toy products purchased.

The director of Consumer Council Tænk, Winni Grosbøll, expressed her shock at the results. The tested items ranged from toy footballs to plastic figurines and dolls. Grosbøll emphasized that these findings are crucial for parents, adding, “If you buy this doll, your child is playing with phthalates in significant amounts.”

Phthalates are chemicals used as plasticizers and are also found in paints and adhesives. Animal studies indicate that some phthalates might impact reproductive health and potentially disrupt hormonal functions. In the EU, it is illegal to manufacture, import, or sell toys and childcare articles for children aged 0-14 years containing certain phthalates, including DEHP, DBP, BBP, and DIBP.

In this study, three types of phthalates were found in the eight tested products, all of which are banned in EU toys. The most concerning finding was a plastic football that contained nearly 33 percent of one phthalate. Six out of the eight toys with excessive phthalate levels were balls.

Due to the products being registered outside the EU, different regulatory standards apply, limiting the ability to report such issues to authorities. The platforms have stated that the harmful products identified in the study have been removed from their sites. The Consumer Council advises consumers to purchase toys from local producers or EU-registered sources to ensure safety.

Source 
(via dr.dk)